“Fly-fishing is a magic way to recapture the rapture of solitude without the pangs of loneliness.”
– John D. Voelker
Seek to recapture the rapture of solitude this September while standing against the glide of moving water in the company of trout.
Silver Creek
Expect to find decent dry fly fishing with a few lingering Tricos, but mostly Baetis and Callibaetis, mid morning into the early afternoon. Mahogany Duns should become a good option once it cools down a bit more. When the wind blows, use a hopper, ant, or beetle. The fish lose their inhibitions with a wind chop on the surface and anglers can capitalize on this. This is also a good time of year to experiment with nymphing. Try small Baetis nymphs or a non beaded Callibaetis emerger below your preferred indicator. Remember, while fishing in the Preserve, you are required to sign in. This can be done via your phone with the QR code posted at all access points or by texting “Visitor” to (833) 593-0682.
Big Wood
Thanks to the warm weather, the trout are still spread out from the fast, shallow riffles to the slow tailouts at the bottom of a run. Try small parachute patterns in size 16 and 18. Caddis and spruce moth patterns are also turning fish. Start looking for Red Quills, the last big bug of the year, after the first cold snap. With the low flow, approach the water with caution or you will spook more fish than you catch. Nymphing the Wood this time of year can be productive. A simple dry dropper rig is best.
The Upper Lost
The best action is on the main stem of the Upper Lost from the North Fork confluence down. Look for the green water and it is sure to hold a variety of fish. The larger trout will only give you one legitimate chance…so make it count. The fishing is best from the middle of the day into the late afternoon. Expect to see similar hatches here as you would see on the Big Wood, but the Cutthroat are more prone to attractor dries.
The Lost Below Mackay
The flows below the reservoir are around 200 CFS and may continue to drop even more over the next few weeks. Tricos and Baetis are still hatching mid morning into the early afternoon. When the bugs are gone, be prepared to nymph. The key to success on these fish is contact with your flies.
Salmon
Before traveling up 75 to Stanley be sure to check on road closures due to the fire encroaching on Smiley Creek. If you decide to go, both the upper and lower Salmon are fishing well right now. With the lower flows, walk and wade fishing is a good way to approach the water; however, floating the lower reaches is still an option.
South Fork of the Boise
The flows are steady at 580 CFS . The flotilla of drift boats is mostly gone and wade fisherman can move about. Look for Pinks and Flavs along with fall Baetis to be the main course. Also, crane flies are skittering about with a few caddis still lingering in the evenings.
Local Ponds
Lake Creek Pond, Penny Lake, and Gaver’s Lagoon have been stocked and will receive regular stockings throughout the season.
Big Wood: Tricos | Rusty Spinner | Chubby Chernobyl | Hopper Patterns | Red Quills (Hecuba) | Duracell | Bullet French Nymph | Rain Drop Jigs | Maktima UV Jig | Bishop’s Dynamite | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive
Silver Creek: Tricos | Callibaetis | Baetis | Mahogany Duns | October Caddis| Hopper Patterns | Bullet French Nymph | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Pine Squirrel Leech
Salmon: Hopper Patterns | Chubby Chernobyl | Spruce Moth | Duracell | Bullet French Nymph | Rain Drop Jigs | Maktima UV Jig | Pat’s Rubber Legs | Bishop’s Dynamite
Big Lost Flies: Tricos | Baetis | Crane Flies | Chubby Chernobyl | Duracell | Bullet French Nymph | Rain Drop Jigs | Maktima UV Jig | Bishop’s Dynamite | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive
South Fork of the Boise: Caddis | Pink Alberts | Chubby Chernobyl | Flav | Deep Cleaner | Duracell | Bullet French Nymph | Rain Drop Jigs | Maktima UV Jig | Pat’s Rubber Legs
| Silver Creek | 73 cfs |
| Big Wood | 125 cfs |
| The Lost Below Mackay | 197 cfs |
| Salmon | 429 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 581 cfs |
